Ever since the sport of Taekwondo took roots in Taiwan in 1967, it has marked historical moments such as winning the first world championship in 1977, double gold medals in 2004 Olympics, and losing the gold medal in 2017 world championship. Looking back at its half century long history, it seemed to be necessary to investigate its historical importance. This study intended to focus on three main pillars: 'camouflage as Chikwondo in the military', 'winning Olympic gold medal and earning international fame', and 'succession gap crisis and re-energizing' to investigate the developing context of Taekwondo and its contribution and status to combat sports in the past fifty years in Taiwan. Research Method: This study applied historical research method and analyzed the Takewondo related overages in United Daily News, China Times, Pioneer News, Chon- I News and relevant historical materials, and supplemented with oral history. Research findings: 1. Taekwondo, a combat sport originated from Korea, was introduced to Taiwan in 1967 for the purpose of strengthening military combat techniques and skills. Taekwondo was renamed as Chikwondo and taught in the military. Later these trained military personnel discharged and returned to the society, the sport was then spread to the public. Since the 1970s, despite the PRC began its political intervention in putting pressure upon Taiwan in international games, Taiwan still delivered outstanding performances in Taekwondo by winning medals in the limited appearances in international competitions and clinching the first world championship gold medal in 1977, which established the country as a powerhouse in this sport. 2. Since 1978, with the rising strength in Taekwondo in Taiwan and to cope with the flexible foreign policies, Taiwan began to deploy Chikwondo instructors to diplomatic partners to provide training. Such act made Taiwan become one of the few 'Taekwondo exporting countries' outside South Korea.Taiwan later won five gold medals in total at the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games when Taekwondo was still a demonstration sport, and the first ever Olympic gold medal for the country at the 2004 event, which proved Taiwan's highly competitive level in the sport. 3. After 2005, with the rising up of other countries, the main forces of Taiwanese team retired successively and the numbers of student athlete in Taekwondo continued to decline, the national team failed to maintain its dominance and suffered plunges in major international games after the 2008 Olympics. Not until the 2015 world championship did the team rise again by winning another gold medal. Yet the team could only get one silver medal in the 2017 world championship. Conclusion: Looking at the fifty years development of Taekwondo in Taiwan, the sport obviously has carving out an exalted place as a national sport among all combat sports in Taiwan.
